1 Co To Island - Discovering Nature’s Untamed Beauty
Located east of Quang Ninh Province in the Gulf of Tonkin, the island district of Co To boasts beautiful beaches and pristine nature that attract thousands of visitors to explore. The Co To Archipelago comprises 50 large and small islands, among which Co To Island and Co To Con Island showcase the most poetic and majestic natural beauty.
Depending on the time of year, Co To has its own distinctive and captivating beauty. According to experienced backpackers, you should take a boat to Co To Island in summer, from around April to June. At this time, the sea is calm, the weather sunny, the wind light, and the sky clear blue, making it ideal for sightseeing, swimming, and joining recreational activities at sea. In particular, you can combine your visit with a trip to Ha Long Bay and other famous attractions in Ha Long. Alternatively, you can travel here in the final months of the year. This is when Co To becomes more “graceful,” with a peaceful atmosphere that is perfect for your getaway.
See more: Tips for taking young children on a Ha Long cruise for breastfeeding mothers
Co To Island: pristine, enchanting, and blessed with fresh air
2Types of boats to Co To from Cai Rang Port
Currently, there are 2 ways to travel by boat to Co To from Cai Rang Port: wooden boats and high-speed boats. Let MIA.vn help you pick up some tips for choosing the right type of boat!
2.1 Traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port by wooden boat
Wooden boat departure times:
- 7:00 on Monday to Friday
- 13:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Ticket price: only 95,000 VND / person.
Wooden boats are a popular means of transportation to Co To Island. You will spend 4 hours drifting across the cool blue sea, admiring the vast nature here, and taking as many Instagram-worthy photos as you like. To buy wooden boat tickets, you can go to the boat dock at Cai Rang Port or contact the boat owner in advance to reserve a spot.
If you get seasick or do not have much time for your Co To travel itinerary, you should not choose a wooden boat because the journey takes quite a long time.
The experience of taking a wooden boat to Co To Island
2.2 Traveling by high-speed boat
Alongside wooden boats, high-speed boats are popular with many visitors because of their short travel time, taking only around 1h30’. You will no longer need to worry about seasickness, as modern high-speed boats run smoothly and travel very fast. To arrange a 2-day, 1-night itinerary to Co To Island, you should check the operating schedules and ticket prices of the high-speed boat operators below:
Reference high-speed boat ticket prices to Co To
3 Tips for having an action-packed trip to Co To from Cai Rang Port
3.1 Discovering the “breathtaking” beaches when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port
With many beautiful, crystal-clear beaches, Co To Island is a top choice for visitors seeking a relaxing getaway. You can visit Hong Van Beach and Van Chay Beach to take in the pristine beauty beneath the vast blue sky and in the clear, refreshing seawater.
You will have the chance to immerse yourself in those crystal-clear waters or simply stroll along the smooth white sand and breathe in the fresh air. Amid such “breathtaking” scenery, you will enjoy the most relaxing and comfortable moments. Just thinking about it is enough to make you want to pack your backpack and head to Co To right away, isn’t it?
In addition, Co To’s beaches are also suitable for organizing teambuilding activities or seaside recreational games such as surfing, beach volleyball, and more...
It seems that all the fatigue of hectic everyday life disappears amid Co To’s sea and sky. Photo: @meow_nyannyan
3.2 Cau My Rock Beach
Another destination that photography enthusiasts cannot miss is Cau My Rock Beach. The multicolored rocks, stacked on top of one another to form unusual shapes, are a masterpiece generously bestowed on Co To by nature.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most beautiful place in Co To to watch the sunrise and sunset. Whether the sun is rising above the horizon or gradually disappearing beyond it, the scene has an enchanting beauty. Remember to capture this moment for some “so deep” check-in photos.
Simply raise your phone and you’ll immediately have a stunning photo. Photo: @huancongchua
3.3 Check in at Co To Love Road
It would be a major omission to visit Co To with your loved one without stopping by its romantic Love Road. Tandem bicycles are available for rent at student-friendly prices. You can rent a bike to explore the approximately 2-km-long route, or simply hold hands and stroll together—it will be enough to make you happy.
The vibrant red-brick Love Road runs parallel to the seaside
4Tips for choosing a homestay when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port
Homestays on Co To Island know exactly how to “win the hearts” of visitors from near and far, thanks to their amenities and incredibly chill sea views. In particular, their designs draw inspiration from train carriages, duck houses, beehives, containers, and more, and they are decorated with environmentally friendly materials such as wood, stone, thatched roofs, and bamboo. You will enjoy first-class amenities and the most comfortable space to rest after a long day exploring Co To Island.
MIA.vn suggests several beautiful homestays for you to choose from below:
- Coto Village, from 600,000 VND / night – Hong Van Beach, Dong Tien
- Co To Thuy Thinh, from 600,000 VND / night – Hong Van Beach, Dong Tien
- The Bkira Co To Homestay, from 200,000 VND / night – No. 66, Vu Van Hieu Street, Dong Tien
Immerse yourself in the cool sea breeze amid the peaceful surroundings of a homestay on Co To Island
5Enjoying fresh seafood when traveling to Co To
Co To’s waters are blessed with abundant seafood such as crabs, mantis shrimp, squid, shrimp, oysters, geoduck clams, and sipunculus, among others... This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood at “budget-friendly” prices. You can also organize your own barbecue after visiting the market to buy inexpensive, freshly caught seafood.
Fill your hungry stomach with Co To’s fresh seafood
6 A few things to note when traveling to Co To from Cai Rang Port
To make your boat trip to Co To as complete and meaningful as possible, remember the points that MIA.vn lists below.
- Whether traveling by wooden boat or high-speed boat, wear a life jacket and follow the regulations on board to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
- Queue when boarding the boat and sit in the seat number shown on your ticket.
- Sit properly; do not fool around excessively or sit on the boat’s railing while traveling out to sea.
- Prepare seasickness medicine and take it about 30 minutes before boarding so that it can work effectively.
- Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and comfortable outfits are definitely essentials for your trip to explore Co To.
- Remember to bring a power bank so you can take photos to your heart’s content all day.
At this point, MIA.vn hopes you have gained some useful tips for taking a boat to Co To from Cai Rang Port. Quickly pocket more Co To travel tips and head out with your best friends to explore every corner of Co To Island!
